From 1952 to
1966 (the year Haryana was carved out of Punjab) Chandigarh
was the capital of Punjab. Citizens of the city were represented
in the state's Legislative Assembly and a Chief Commissioner
headed the local administration. While Punjab had remained undivided,
Chandigarh, like other large cities of India, fitted into the
larger framework of the state administration. When Punjab was
divided, both Punjab and Haryana claimed the new city for its
capital. Pending resolution of the issue, the Central Government
made Chandigarh a Union Territory (under Section 4 of the Punjab
Re-Organisation Act, 1966, with effect from November 1, 1966)
with its administration functioning directly under the Central
Government. Under the provisions of this Act, the laws in force
in the erstwhile State of Punjab prior to November 1,1966, continue
to be applicable to the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The practice of appointing an Administrator of the UT designated
as "Chief Commissioner" continued up to May 31, 1984. There
after, on June 1, 1984, the Governor of Punjab took over the
direct administration of the Union Territory as the Administrator.
"Chief Commissioner" was redesignated as "Adviser to the Administrator".
Ever since June 1984, the Governor of Punjab has been functioning
as the Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh.